Elway, Xanders scouting Oklahoma-Baylor game

With the Broncos off this weekend, Broncos’ front-office bosses John Elway and Brian Xanders are in Waco, Texas scouting the Baylor-Oklahoma game.

Yes, each team has a projected first-round quarterback in Oklahoma’s Landry Jones and Baylor’s Robert Griffin III, providing he gives up his final year of eligibility. Unfortunately, the game’s on ABC regional TV and ABC has decided our region is USC-Oregon.

With 1:38 left in the second quarter, Baylor leads 17-10. Jones is an impressive 16 of 23 for 202 yards while Griffin is 8 of 13 for 197 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown pass.

Easy now, Tim Tebow Nation.

Remember, if the season ended today, the Broncos would be picking 15th or 16th. Both Jones and Griffin III could be gone by then. That’s one.

Two, there are several NFL prospects playing in this game, including Baylor receiver Kendall Wright, Oklahoma linebacker Travis Lewis, who may be the Sooners’ best player, defensive end/linebacker Ronnell Lewis and cornerback Jamell Fleming.

And three, there was Elway’s tweet posted at 5:27 today, or about a half-hour before the Baylor-Oklahoma kickoff: “”Tim’s doing a great job leading our offense, coming through when we need him the most. He’s a winner who gets better every day.”

Still, adding Griffin as Tebow’s backup next year would make sense. Griffin is an athlete who could run the read-option spread that Tebow is currently running. And Griffin and Jones are also considered NFL-caliber passers.

Loved getting the Elway Tweets today! This regime is bringing Class and a Winning Mentality back to Denver at a Faster Pace than I ever expected. My hats off to Pat Bowlen and the Organization as a whole!

Kaffenated

There is a great deal of talent to take in for Bronco management, but that is just the icing on the cake. The cake is RGIII (in my opinion). Let’s not fool ourselves to think any differently. Elway is still looking at QB’s to draft (which is perhaps the main reason he is even there with Xanders). Landry is the other option, but I doubt he would even be available for Denver (and surely they realize this too).

I believe in Tebow and he is my man – but RGIII looks like an amazing duel threat. He could be a viable addition at QB for the Broncos. The only reason I can see this being a good possibility is as a backup to Tebow. RGIII would be a good fit if Denver sticks to this offense and with Tebow at QB (otherwise they should probably look elsewhere altogether). Your going to need a backup QB (with similar or capably similar skills to Tebow) who can step in if he were to get hurt. Might be a smart decision even without being an intended threat to Tebow.

Personally, I don’t think they should draft a QB at all – but if they were, RGIII looks like a good one to me.

Anonymous

Wait until Tebow has some big guys to throw to! His passing will only get BETTER — and that will make him a much more effective QB in the NFL!

Remember: Tebow had the second highest PASSER RATING in the NCAA during his Heisman Trophy winning season. He threw for more than 3300 yards — which was 200 more than Sam Bradford! Only Bradford’s passer rating was marginally higher.

Tebow CAN pass. Without a corp of big receivers, Manning, Brady, Luck and Rogers wouldn’t even be effective — ESPECIALLY during their first 16 games.

I have faith in Tebow. Not only does he have skill that he somehow turns on at the right moment — but he truly INSPIRES his team by his insatiable desire to win (and improve…even after they win).

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have been a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan. However, I am following Denver right now…and, because of Tebow, they are my favorite team in the AFC. I hope that pull off more upsets and make it to the playoffs this year and confound all of the naysayers.

GO TEBOW, GO!!!

Kaffenated

If you want to discuss the things Tebow needs, my opinion is as follows:

Tim needs a big TE, a very fast (world speed) premium WR, and a world speed RB. Surround him with big and fast people. Furthermore, he needs to be able to run the ball himself and be given that privilege throughout the game – he thrives off adrenaline and the runs get him and everyone else pumped up. He is better when he runs – not just because of running, but because of the adrenaline it gives him. Finally, he needs to be in a quick, two minute type, spread with read option mixed offense (with very few or none under center).

In lieu of any of the above needs for Tebow – at least give him some other playmakers, he really is the only healthy one on the team offense right now (not to say others are not talented, but I’m talking people who can make plays like Tebow).

Anonymous

I agree. In fact, I think that they could sign T.O. for a one year contract — just to see how a big target would give Tebow a fourth option in medium yardage situations.

And, I agree, they need a big Tight End to be a “security blanket” for Tebow. Every successful QB has one…and Denver hasn’t developed one.

Kaffenated

T.O. is toxic – his skill does not supersede that at this point in his career (which is why he is unsigned). Even if he still had the skill of yesteryear, I’d stay away (particularly in an offense that is not pass heavy and would not provide T.O’s ego enough targets or opportunities). Denver needs unselfish receivers who can block. It would be nice if one of those could be a premium talent as well but that person needs to have postiive character as well.

B Rad

Or instead of all the adrenalin from the running we should get him all coked up.

guest

Yep, when you complete 1 out of 2 passes in a game that 50% completion. Not bad.

Anonymous

What are you talking about? Tebow passed quite a bit in college — more than he ran. In his Heisman year, he passed for 3300 yards and rushed for less than 900.

Puckmeup

People need to understand that it doesn’t matter much anymore what he did in college because this is the NFL and the NFL very different than college football. Those stats only show what landed him a gig in the NFL, but it does nothing to secure him a spot on any NFL team.

Tebow is probably the most polarized QB I’ve ever seen play the game, hands down! On one hand, you want to strangle him when he has Decker wide open and misses him by 5-10 yards. Then he turns around and runs for a big first down and somehow makes up for those missed passes. But he has a big TE (Fells) to throw to right now and he over or under throws him more than he hits him. Which tells me that he has a long way to go before anyone can count on him as being their main man for years to come. And yes, I think he if was allowed to start for two or three years consistently, I think he’d be dangerous and would a be a huge force to be reckoned with in this league. But in the meantime, I’m sure Elway is exploring possible franchise QB’s just in case because nobody is gonna win all the time by running the ball each game with little to no passes. Tebow has to get better at passing the ball if he plans on having a long career in this league.

pale horse

lol Tebow gets no respect. They’re openly looking for his replacement every weekend. Everyone saw it when Teebs won the game, Elway looked grim and did the sarcastic slow clap. In fact every time Elway is on camera watching Tebow play he looks unimpressed and borderline angry. He clearly can’t stand Tebow, regardless of what he tweets.

RG3 just had a fantastic performance where he outplayed the vastly overrated Landry Jones. I can see RG3 going high in the draft. Too many QB-needy teams. Depends on where the Broncos are picking, I suppose…

B_ry1973

I can’t see drafting a “backup” quarterback in the first round. By the time of the draft Tebow will be over halfway to becoming a legit N.F.L. passer. I think Elway will see enough of the light at the end of the tunnel by then and that pick will, wisely, be used on another position.

Even now, while Tim is struggling throwing completions, his rating is around 80 and he’s 4-1. He and the Broncos will be unstoppable when he gets as comfortable throwing the ball as he was in college.

Cam Newton

HA!!! Are you kidding? Tebow sucks!!! Cam led his offense to 35 points today and lost. It’s all about the D baby!

Tadrick9

Draft RGIII and send Tebow packing. If Tebow continues to play well, trade him after the season. If not, keep him as the starter for next season while RGIII learns. Until Tebow can show he can throw, there’s no trusting him. Remember, the Broncos’ victories with Tebow under center have come against bad offenses (Miami, Oakland, Kansas City, N.Y. Jets). His one start against a good offense (Detroit) ended badly for Tebow and the Broncos. You have to score in this league, and the occasional fantastic finish by the exciting Tebow doesn’t cut it. Anyone who has watched RGIII the last few years — not just the Oklahoma game yesterday — and is unbiased knows RGIII has a hundred times the talent of Tebow. The Broncos may have a hard time moving up that far in the draft to get RGIII, but it’s worth a try.

Dave Swagler

Tadrick9, I assume you meant defense, not offense.

Mclark6213

No, he meant offense. The point is, if Tebow was playing against solid offense who can score 30+ points against a good defense, Tebow would have a difficult time keeping up.

Mark N

Tebow could carry Griffins pads. Tebow is half the qb Griffin is – the running half. Tebow throws like my sister. He might develop eventually, but Griffin can throw as well as any player at any level. I’m pretty sure Elway has that figured out.

B Rad

To be fair your sister throws pretty well for a girl.

Cam Newton

Both QB’s from that game are better than Tebow! Way to go Elway!!!

Bronco fan

Tebow is a great athlete. Give him time n he will be a great QB. His character, his beliefs, n the overall person that he is has brought hatred towards him. The truth is that all of these people do not hate him, they envy him. Even if Elway trades him, Tebow has already overshadowed Elway’s legacy in Denver. ( Notice that I’m not comparing them). Tebow will always be a part of Denver even if Elway gets his way n trades him.

Elkheart22

17 years from now, Tebow will be a nice little footnote in Bronco history, while Von Miller will be standing by his Bust in Canton…..

Montanabambino

Elway’s comments continue to undermine Tebow’s efforts, this team is 2-8 at best without Tebow as the starting quaterback. It is very hard to understand why Elway openly discusses his questions about Tebows abilities and stats. Obviously this is one arrogant man , who ‘s position as vice president has gone to his big head. Shut up or trade him, front office people normally support the players , Mr. Arrogant must be insecure about who Colorado’s favorite quaterback might end up being. GO TIMMY GO

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.